About 60 foster kids went on an island adventure to learn life skills with post 9/11 veterans Saturday.
- Nonprofit Fit4Truth hosted event for foster kids from Lakeland, Sarasota and Tampa Bay area
- Kids learned skills from former and current military members
Veteran-founded nonprofit Fit4Truth teamed up with other organizations to host a fun afternoon on Shell Key Island. The kids learned skills from former and current military members while fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and participating in team-building exercises.
“Our whole entire philosophy is to take them out of the homes and teach them life skills to let them know that they are extremely important, and they are already resilient and to bring out the best in the kids so they can learn they can live whatever life they want live,” Staff Sergeant Beau Blouin, an active duty Marine and Founder of Fit4Truth, said.
Foster kids came from group homes in Lakeland, Sarasota and the Tampa Bay area for the event.
"This by far, above and beyond, it shows that other people can love somebody that they haven’t even met and relate with someone on something they sort of went through at the same time,” 18-year-old Michael Goggans said.
“We hone in on communication, leadership, but more importantly self-love for themselves, for their community and that they can truly do what they want,” Blouin said.
The event not only benefited the foster children, but also the veterans.
"A lot of returning veterans they come home and sometimes they don’t feel like they belong so we try and outreach to the veterans and do community service so it’s good for everyone all around,” former Marine Tony Romano said.